REGISTRATION FOR AG.CONNECT 2015 IS OPEN!   . . . DECREASED WINTER SUPPLY PUSHES LAMB PRICES UP . . . AT HEART OF U.S. – SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE DISPUTE, A SERIOUS GAME OF CHICKEN . . . GMO APPLES GET THE NOD, BUT NOT MUCH OF A WELCOMING PARTY . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

REGISTRATION FOR AG.CONNECT 2015 IS OPEN!
Source:NSFA Agri-Futures Nova Scotia is pleased to offer a new and exciting conference called Ag. Connect 2015; designed to bring together farmers, researchers, students, government, not-for profits, and commodity organizations from agriculture, aquaculture, and related industries to find synergies and to learn, discuss, and challenge research and innovation in the Atlantic Region. The theme for our first Summit is “Planting Ideas, Harvesting Knowledge.” The focus is on sharing research and exploring knowledge transfer strategies for all audiences of agricultural research in the region. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn in Truro, Nova Scotia, March 30 to April 1, 2015. (read more)

DECREASED WINTER SUPPLY PUSHES LAMB PRICES UP
Source: The Eastern Graphic
Allister Venoit is one of the few lamb producers in the region who has lamb ready for market in the winter months and he is being rewarded with strong prices. Most lambing occurs in April or May, but the Avondale producer has lambs born year around since he is only commercial producer in the region who is milking sheep. While milk is not a product most people associate with the animal, according to the website sheep101.info, the animals have been raised for milk for thousands of years. (read more)

AT HEART OF U.S. – SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE DISPUTE, A SERIOUS GAME OF CHICKEN
Source: New York Times
The 40,000 chickens – a few short weeks from becoming Valu-Paks at the supermarket – scratched their way toward the rows of water drips, eager for a little midday sip. Eyeing an open door, one bird made a vague attempt to wander away, before it was gently returned to the brood. Such prancing poultry rests at the center of a major trade dispute between the United States and South Africa, with large economic stakes, especially in states like Delaware, the birthplace of the American chicken industry. For decades, in addition to chemicals (think DuPont) and corporate registrations, the state has been known for three other Cs: cards, cars, and chickens. (read more)

GMO APPLES GET THE NOD, BUT NOT MUCH OF A WELCOMING PARTY
Source: NPR We have good news for all of you who find browned apple slices unappetizing. It’s bad news, though, if you don’t like scientists fiddling with your food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given a green light to apples that have been genetically modified so that they don’t turn brown when you cut them open. They’re called Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny, and they were created by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, a small company in British Columbia, Canada. The company inserted some extra genes into these apples. (read more)